Task force: Ban gender bias only in housing

Group also recommends no public vote on proposal

8:48 AM,
Nov. 21, 2013

Written by

Jonathan Shorman
JSHORMAN@NEWS-LEADER.COM

In a newly released report, the Springfield Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Task Force recommends that City Council pass an ordinance only guarding against discrimination in housing - and warns against a public vote on any ordinance.

To hold a vote, it says, could create a public rift and harm the city's reputation.

However, in a second recommendation, the task force backed broader protections for gays and lesbians that would ban discrimination in housing, employment and public accommodations, provided the ordinance contain strong religious exemptions. ...